Chapter 76: Landing on the Island and the New Era

In the distant seas, far from the main continent, lies an enormous island situated in the habitable zone. The island is graced with beautiful scenery, and at its center a towering mountain rises straight into the sky.

At the mountain’s base, several small towns are scattered about, each modest in size. These towns are home to those awakened and their families who have settled here.

Midway up the mountain, where the slope gentles, stands an imposing great hall—the headquarters of the House of the Awakened, a sacred place revered by awakened ones across the world.

Yet, every insider of the House knows that the true sanctuary, the very dwelling of divinity for the awakened, is found not in the hall but at the mountain’s summit. It is here that the founder of the House of the Awakened resides—the one who led his kind to carve a place for themselves in the world, ending the dark era when awakened ones were hunted without mercy.

At the mountain’s peak, there is a solitary stone house, a black pine tree, a smooth green boulder, and a man.

The man appears to be twenty-five or twenty-six, dressed in white, his hair disheveled in a way that speaks to his wild, unrestrained nature. His melancholy gaze holds a trace of sorrow, and even the stubble on his chin cannot diminish his allure. He sits casually on the ground, leaning against the green stone, a wine gourd in hand. Occasionally, he lifts it to his lips, gazing down at the towns below, a faint smile playing on his mouth.

Footsteps sounded from the winding steps below. A pair of beautiful twin sisters, one in blue, the other in red—matching in style, different in hue—arrived together at the summit. Seeing the man drinking, they did not dare disturb his pleasure, but stood respectfully to the side, gazing at him with eyes full of admiration and adoration.

The man seemed indifferent to the twins’ arrival, continuing to drink and gaze into the distance.

After a long while, he sighed, “Life without saving the world is truly bland. Watching you mortals enjoy such peace, I feel almost envious.”

At these words, the twins’ admiration and affection nearly overflowed.

“What brings you here?” he asked.

The elder sister, Lina, was the first to regain her composure. She stepped forward and reported, “Guild Master, the preliminary World King Tournament has concluded. Thirty-two top contenders from around the globe will soon arrive on Awakened Island.”

Her younger sister, Lia, quickly added, “Guild Master, the internal restructuring of the association is complete, and our plans are proceeding smoothly!”

Hearing their reports, the man turned his head to gaze at the proud black pine, murmuring, “The wind is rising. I fear today’s winds will be particularly restless.”

…

Three months. Several cities. Nearly thirty battles. Who knows what Lando truly experienced along the way?

If not for the considerable rewards gained during this time, he wasn’t sure if he could have endured it. Fortunately, this kind of life could finally pause for a while. He had earned his qualification to enter Awakened Island for the final tournament. With a month before the grand event, he could finally rest.

When Lando found Alice, she had already reunited with her two friends, and the three were happily exploring the mountains and rivers together.

Lando joined them with perfect ease and soon learned the origins of the two sisters: Shade and Jenna, inheritors of the Ancient Shaping School. They had spent their lives studying within the sect, and this was their first journey into the world.

Along the way, the sisters shared many tales from the ancient school, which Lando and Alice found endlessly fascinating.

Thanks to Lando sharing his knowledge, all three became awakened. Unlike others in this world, whose awakening was subject to fate, the three—with their mastery over the mind—could somewhat influence what powers they awakened.

Alice awakened spatial abilities, while Shade and Jenna both chose mental powers. Alice’s choice made perfect sense to Lando; the girl loved to travel. The two shaper sisters’ choice of mental abilities surprised him—he’d expected them to choose elemental powers.

Lando also told them about his participation in the World King Tournament and invited them to join him on the island. As his companions, they were eligible to enter, provided they were awakened—which they were. All three agreed with great interest.

The four traveled together, and after twenty days arrived at Seaview City, a famous eastern port and the gathering point for contestants heading to Awakened Island by ship.

At the harbor, they found a massive cruise ship waiting. After their identities were verified, they boarded—and were amazed by the ship’s luxury. Alice declared that when she built her own spaceship, it too would be resplendent with lights and colors.

The cruise ship departed at dusk. There were seven contestants from the East, and Lando was keen to converse and learn about their abilities. However, perhaps knowing they were rivals, each was colder and more aloof than the last, leaving Lando rather uninterested.

Three days passed quickly at sea. Upon setting foot on the legendary Awakened Island, Alice and her friends were instantly enchanted by the scenery. After promising to cheer Lando on, the three slipped away, leaving him watching their laughter fade into the distance with helpless fondness.

Lando completed his registration and headed for the resting quarters arranged for the contestants by the House of the Awakened.

When he returned, he received the schedule for the coming days. Clearly, the association had made thorough preparations for the contestants’ early arrival.

“Interviews? Promotional videos?”

Seeing the agenda, Lando had a vague idea of what they were planning, but it hardly concerned him. All he wanted was to analyze the most powerful abilities here.

Seven days flashed by, and at last, the day of the World King Tournament’s grand opening arrived.

Awakened Island remained tranquil, but the outside world was already in chaos.

Recently, a website called “World of the Awakened” had exploded in popularity online, featuring videos of humans wielding supernatural powers and detailed explanations of the awakened’s origins and history. The site had even released a promotional video for the upcoming “World King” tournament, drawing global attention.

Some dismissed it as a hoax; others believed with unwavering faith. Nations reacted differently, but for now, none seemed able to deal with the site.

Now, all the contestants and staff—including Lando—waited for the man known as “God” to herald the dawn of a new era.

The sound of footsteps rang through the quiet hall. A man of weathered charm and a pair of twin sisters stepped onto the stage.

The man surveyed the solemn crowd, then broke into a radiant smile.

“Everyone, please join me in welcoming the dawn of a new era!”

P.S. To be honest, I thought this riddle was very simple, yet no one has guessed it so far. Let me give you some clearer hints:

1. What Lando studied before = Golem.
2. Mental space = Transformation.
3. Analyzing spatial powers = Various abilities.

It’s not Gundam, not Transformers, not EVA—those are a bit too much for Lando at this point—and it’s not raising broken souls!